Filler former for cigar machines



MY l wui H; E. CARLSON 2347,35

FILLER FGRMER `FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June 12, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 uw I lan-t 05 "'f ATTORNEY July l, 1941.`x H, E QARLSQN 247,35

FILLER FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June l2, 1937 4 Sheets-#Sheet 2July l 1941 H. E. CARLSON 2.247,358

FILLER FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES A Filed June 12, 1957 4 sheets-'sheet 3INVENToR l HJALMAR- E CRLSON ATTORNEY' MHV L W43- H. E. cARLsoN2,247,358 i FILLER FORMER FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed June 12, 1937 4Sheets-Sheet 4 jd j] g l ,iff (4 l* f ff 35 f' S' Y f5 /V INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patente-ci July l, 1941 STATES PAT@ 'i' ENCE FILLER FORMER FOR CIGARMACHINES Application June 12, 1937, Serial No. 147,916

20 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar machines, and more particularly to amethod of feeding long ller tobacco and an improved and simplifiedfiller feeding mechanism therefor.

Usually when feeding long ller tobacco into charge forming mechanism,the operator places the leaves in a feed channel and forms therein byconstant addition thereto a continuous stream of long filler tobaccowhich is advanced past cutters which sever bunch length sectionstherefrom; these sections are then passed on to other tobacco handlinginstrumentalities and suitable bunch charges are made and transferred tobunch rolling mechanism. In feeding tobacco in `this manner the operatormust endeavor to keep the tobacco in the stream up to a certain level,and not feed to much or too little lest the resulting bunch chargesreect these variations and be overheavy or underweight.

According to the present invention, an operator feeds tobacco in usualmanner to form a continuous stream, but it is relatively unimportant ifshe overfeeds. In fact she may overfeed without any danger of theresulting bunches being overheavy since automatically acting mechanismis provided for limiting the stream passing to the bunch length cuttersto uniform thickness and density. From this it follows that operatorsfeeding tobacco in this machine need not be highly skilled in order tofeed long ller tobacco satisfactorily. Also, `due to the fact that themachine of this invention forms bunch charges of long filler tobacco ofuniform size, thickness and density in a simplified manner, and cuts thetobacco only once, the possibility of forming undesired scrap, which isoften produced when several cuts are needed to form a bunch charge, isheldto a minimum, and hence better bunches and more satisfactory longfiller cigars result. Furthermore, the formation of measured bunchcharges in the feed mechanism of the cigar machine results in a simplermachine, and eliminates many machine parts heretofore necessarytoproduce bunch charges.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a method offeeding and a long ller tobacco feed mechanism for a cigar machine inwhich cigar bunch charges of substantially uniform size and density areproduced with a minimum of cutting.

It is a further object to provide a method of feeding and a feedingmechanism having devices for forwarding a continuous stream of longfiller tobacco, and means for automatically reducing the stream touniform thickness and density as it travels to the cigar bunch lengthforming mechanism. Y

The invention also consists in the provision of automatically actingmeans for advancing a continuous stream of tobacco past compressing andtrimming devices which compact the stream to a substantially uniformdensity, remove the excess from the stream and automatically redirect itback for association with later fed tobacco.

The invention also contemplates the provision of bunch forming mechanismof a simplified nature in which the skill of the operator feeding leavesto the advancing means has relatively little effect upon the finishedcigar, especially insofar as overfeeding is concerned,

In the feeding of tobacco in this machine the stream of tobacco has beenreduced to the predetermined size, thickness and density before it isfed to the bunch length cutter, and the resulting bunch lengths are eachejected onto the rolling apron for formation into bunches. It isevident, therefore, that no accumulating errors of size or density cancreep into the bunch length due to the association of several lengthswhich may be of varying Weight and density, and the severance of a bunchcharge from the leading end of the assembly. The invention, therefore,includes -means for forming uniform bunch charges from an advancingstream of tobacco by a single severing operation, and the formation ofbunches from successive individual charges transferred from said meansto the rolling mechanisrn.

In addition to the mechanism which has been provided for automaticallyremoving excess tobacco from the top of the stream and returning it tothe source for further feeding, there is also contemplated means forsignalling when insufficient tobacco is being fed in order to notify theoperator so that she may bring the quantity to be fed up to therequisite amount before a number of bunch charge increments have beenfed through the feed mechanism to do much harm in the production ofnon-uniform bunches.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned, in view, theinvention consists of certain constructions and combinations which Willbe hereinafter fully described, and then set forth more specifically inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of this invention, which form a part of thisspecication, and in which like characters of reference indicate the sameor like parts:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan View of the filler feed;

Fig. 2 is a side ,View partly in section showing details of thecompactor and the knife and return chute;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a sectional end View of one of the Compactors;

Fig. 4a is a partial detail side elevation of the compacting mechanismand stream testing device;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the knife actuating mechanism;

Figs. 6 and 'l are detail fragm-entary views il lustrating certain partsof the device `shown in Fig. 1, but in different positions;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken on line 9 9; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional View taken on line Iii-I0 of Fig. 1 showing thebunch charge cutting mechanism.

VThe filler tobacco is placed into the filler feeding channel formed bythe horizontal feedA belt I and the two vertical feed belts l l and l2,this channel forming the feed for ller tobacco similar ,to that shown inthe patent to Bronander, 1,740,571, granted December 24, 1929. Thehorizontal belt Ill is supported upon a plate iS of a widthsubstantially that of the belt, and may be driven in the same manner asdisclosed in the above patent. The Vertical belts Il and i2 aresupported in tobacco engaging position by pulleys I3 and I4, and pulleysI5 and i6, respectively. The belts II and I2 are also led aroundsuitable guide rollers HIJ of Well-known design and arrangement suitablymounted on the machine table B and-the belts are formed into tighteningloops about these last-named rollers. The belts, mentionedabove Whichform the feeding channel, are intermittently driven by suitable meanssuch as disclosed in the above-mentioned patent to Bronander. l

In a device such as shown by Bronander, bunch lengths cut from theadvancing stream are not complete and ready for rolling with bindersinto bunches. Instead, lengths are pushed laterally into'juxtapositionwith previously cut lengths, compacted to proper density, and chargesare cutfrom the leading edge of the grouped lengths. This cuttingnaturally results in the formation of 'some scrap'particles, which areunwanted in long ller cigars. According to the structure shownin Figs.1, 2 and 3 all of the operations necessary to produceibunch charges ofVproper size,"thic'kness and density are effected in the feed`mechanism; the bunch charge is out only once-thereby practicallyVeliminating the formation of small pieces and the-mechanism employed issimpler byv many parts.

The filler tobacco progressively 'placed in the iiller feed.channelformed bythe belts I0, I-I and I2, is intermittently advancedAand passes Ain a v stream of -varying thickness and density under aguide Allocated vto directit beneath compactor I8,1.which intheillustrated embodiment consists of a wheelV lamounted upon a shaftI9. .Asprocket .29 `fixed on `the end of .shaft I9 .is suitably driven,by a conventional chain. drive not shown, from thedriving means ofpulley I5.

.The compactor wheel I8 is .provided with a series of `spaced-radialholes .2I, Fig. 2, each of which receivesa shank 22 of the severalplungers or compactors 23.v The `shank 22 of each plunger supports astud 24, equipped with a cam follower 25 adapted to engage the innerperiphery of an adjustable stationary cam 26. This cam s mounted onbracket 26e, which is provided with a semicircular extension 26a uponwhich the cam 26 may be moved circumferentially in order to position thelowermost portion 26h of `the cam in the proper location for bestresults. Adjustments are effected` by means of openings vand screwsrespectively formed in and carried by the cam and semicircular brackf etextension 26a. While several means may be cam'followers move oii thehigh part 0f the cam 26,v springs 2l will force the Compactors intocontact with the advancing stream of tobacco and compress it to thepredetermined density. Itis-obvious that weights or other cam controlsVcould be utilized for this same purpose. it is apparent that there canbe no positive crushing force applied to break up the tobacco and at thesamegtime the density of the layer treated by the compacting device willbe substantially uniform because ofthe operation of Compactors 23 and.the settingof the wheel I8. Variations in density of the layer vpassingto the bunch charge severing cutter are extremely unlikely. Eachcompacter 23 is Vcontinuously pressed by its respective lspring 21outward against the tobacco stream, which stream is thereby'brought toproper density and soheld. The Compactors 23 d onot recede or rise untiltheirlcontrol cam followers 25 ride up on cam 25 again following thecutting operation ofvknife 30.

In order to change -the compressive'force of the compactors23 and Vvarythe density of the stream, shaft ,9 4is vertically adjustably mountedinbracket 26e which is suitably fixed to the bed B. This shaft isjournaled for rotation in an adjustable .block 26e slidable inslot 26dof bracket-26o. The required'adjustments are made by `turning screw2(5)c right or left to raise or lower block Ze. VLocknut 26g holds thescrew 26f in 'adjusted position.

In order to form alayer of tobacco of proper thickness a knife 3i) ismounted in the path of the filler tobacco stream usually with vitscutting edgefbeyond the vertical plane through the axis of the,compactor wheel I8,and is operated to severthe excess tobaccov from themain body of the stream.v A straight knife ispreferred because itcan beplaced'nearer to the Compactors when the tobacco is under maximumcompression than can any other type of knife and hence the density ofthe charges being formed is more accurate. AV chute 3l is locatedproximate the kniferanddefiects the excess which has been removed backto the source. AAsshown, chute 3I discharges onto a Ybelt 32 whichreturns the tobacco to the'feeding channel, 'in a manner to be latterdescribed. The chute is mounted for vertical adjustment so that theplane of the lip adjacent yknife '30 may always be coincident therewith.`In, the embodiment-shown, brackets Slarare fixedv to table S and yareprovided with elongated slots -3Id through which pass bolts-3lcprojected through the bent ends of a bar 3Ib secured to the underside ofchute 3l. Wing nuts `3le on bolts `3Ic secure the chute in adjustedposition. The tobaccopassingunder the knife 30- isnow of uniform,density and correct size .-andthicknessto make the bunch, this layer oftobacco being advanced forward and acted upon by a corrugated cutter 33which may be of the type shown in the Bronander patentabove referred to(Fig. 1) which severs a length from the layer of tobacco to produce acomplete bunch. In the illustrated form, knife 30 comprises areciprocating serrated edged blade which is adjustably mounted in orderto provide means for varrying the thickness of the layer advanced to thecutter 33.

The shaft 35, of motor 33, Fig. 1, is equipped with an actuator 31carrying a crank pin 38 on which is loosely mounted a link 39 connectingto one end of an arm 40 fulcrumed at 4l in a bracket 4l?) mounted uponbed B, Figs. 5 and 8. The lower end of arm 40 h-as a slot 42 engaging apin 43 carried by an arm 44 integral with the U-shaped frame 45. Arm44together with arm 46, which is also part of frame 45, carries the knife3U, Fig. 1. Blocks 41 and 48 which support and guide the arms 44 and 46in their to and fro motion are adjustably mounted on the bed B in orderto provide for adjusting knife 30 vertically to vary the thickness ofthe tobacco stream passing to the bunch cutting device. Fig. 1 shows theadjustments generally, whereas Fig. shows them in detail, although asapplied only to one block since the construction of block 48 isidentical only one will be described. Block 41 is mounted on a bracket41a fixed to the bed B, and is furnished with an elongated slot 41ethrough which projects a screw 41h carried by bracket 41a. A wing nut41d holds the assembly in adjusted position.

The filler tobacco on reaching the charge forming corrugated cutter 33is acted upon by a plate 53, Fig. 1, which compresses the tobacco andretains its position while the cutter 33 severs a bunch length from thefiller layer. Plate 50 is suspended from a rod 5I slidably mounted in alug 52 of cutter bracket 53. A compression spring 5ta arrested betweenthe lug and plate tends to normally hold nuts 5 Ib threaded on rod 5I-against lug 52. The charge having been cut, now rests on the cutterplatform 55 which then descends, whereupon a pusher 56, suitablyoperated, as shown in the Bronander patent mentioned above, passes overthe platform and delivers the charge onto the rolling apron 51. In themeantime the cutter bracket 53 ascends carrying the cutter 33 and plate50 from the filler layer.

Fig. 6 illustrates one way in which complete bunch charges may beforwarded directly to bunch forming mechanism and comprises the platform53 and follower 59 shown in the position they occupy when a charge hasjust been moved from the cutter platform 55 on to the rolling apron 51overlying the platform 58. The platform and follower then move downward,by means similar to those disclosed in the patent to Bronander, No.1,563,333, granted December 1, 1925, the follower moving at a greaterrate of speed than the platform in order to overtake the charge beinglowered before the platform reaches its lowermost position. As theplatform approaches the end of its downward movement, the loop is formedin the rolling apron, and the lower edge of the follower 59 engages thecharge C to one side of its mid-section. A little further, downwardmovement of its parts results in spreading or fanning out the leaves ofthe charge C and in simultaneously converting said charge from itsinitial substantially flat form to the arcuate form as clearly shown inFigl 7. As soon as this is accomplished, the follower 53 is given arapid upward movement so that the loop forming roller 63 can come intoaction and roll the charge.

The eXcess quantity of tobacco scalped from the main body of fillertobacco, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, passes up the inclined runway 3i and isdirected into the chute 3l which leads the tobacco onto a conveyor 32carrying the same onto a turn-table 62. The table G2 is provided withguides 63 and 64, tending to lead the tobacco into the feeding channelformed by belts l0, Il and I2. In this manner, the scalped tobacco isreturned to the belt lo and the additional tobacco required for thefiller is placed on top of the previously scalped tobacco.

In the operation of this machine, it is rela tively unimportant if anexcess of tobacco be fed to the feed channel since the compactor I3 andknife 3l) always automatically reduce the stream passing to `cutter 33to uniform density and thickness, and chute 3l returns the excess backto the source for redistribution in the channel. However, if aninsufhcient quantity of tobacco is fed, it is necessary to signal theoperator at once in order that bunch lengths will not be formed whichwill result in the production of underweight cigars that will not passinspection. In order to prevent this contingency a device has beenprovided for apprising the operator when less than the required amountof tobacco is being placed in the feed channel.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that when the tobacco stream isof proper thickness, cam followers 25 are held away from cam track 23hby the tobacco and Compactors 23 are resiliently forced against thetobacco by springs 21. If, on the other hand, the stream content isinadequate the cam followers will move out farther, and may engage thetrack 23h, in which case the compaction of the stream would not be thatrequired, and bunches of varying density would result. For best results,therefore, the cam followers should not engage track 2Gb.

Referring to Figs. 4 and da, there is shown one form of device forpreventing underfeed of filler tobacco to the channel. A bracket El@ ismounted upon shaft I3 and is adjustably fixed to bracket 26o. Bracket6l@ is provided with two arms, one of which carries a stud 63 on whichare mounted a trip finger 32, and a suitably insulated contact 54adapted to engage with a contact 61 fixed to stud 33 carried by thesecond arm. A light spring 65 holds the trip finger in contact withrollers 56 mounted on the studs that support the cam followers 25, sothat whenever an insufcient supply of tobacco has been placed in thechannel and in the rotation of the wheel t8, as followers 25 move offcam 23, springs 21 will force Shanks 22 outward, thereby causing rollers65 to swing finger 32 and bring contact arm 64 into engagement withcontact 31 to close a circuit through battery 33, wires 10, and 1|connected to the contacts and ring a bell connected in series in saidcircuit. If desired, other signalling devices such as a light, etc.,might be used with equal success.

The several means referred to may be varied in construction within thescope of the claims, for the particular device selected to illustratethe invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of thesame. The invention is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precisedetails of the construction shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A cigar machine comprising a compressing mechanism vfor compressingan advancing stream of tobacco to substantially uniform density,including a rotary member, a plurality of presser elements carriedthereby and successively engaging said stream, and means for cutting oifa layer of said stream to reduce it to substantially uniform thicknesswhile under the influence of said elements.

2. A cigar-machine comprising means for advancing a stream of longfiller tobacco, acompacting device provided with a yieldable tobaccoengaging surface adapted to compact saidstream to -substantially uniformdensity, cutting mechanism for-cutting off the top portions of saidstreamv to reduce it to substantially uniform thickness, said mechanismincluding a reciproeating knife, and means for driving said knife toeffect said cutting operation.

3. In a cigar machine, in combination, means forforwarding a continuousstream of long filler tobacco, mechanism for forming bunch charges fromsaid stream in a single cutting operation, said mechanism including lacompacting member having yieldable tobacco engaging elements forcompacting said stream to substantial uniform density, verticallymovable cutting means. operable transversely to said stream for cuttingbunch charges of tobacco therefrom, and means for advancing said chargesdirectly into a bunch rolling device without reducing the tobaccocontent of said charge,

4. In a cigar machine, in combination, means for feeding a continuousstream of filler tobacco, mechanism having a progressively actingyielding tobacco engaging surface for compacting said stream tosubstantially uniform density, means forreducing said stream tosubstantially uniform thickness, and means for determining the absenceof suflicient tobacco in said stream.

5. Ina cigar machine, the combination with means for feeding a stream offiller tobacco, of traveling compacting mechanism for compacting saidstream to substantially uniform density, means for cutting completedbunch charges from the stream, and means for signalling an Aunderfeed offiller to said stream.

6. In a cigar Vfiller feed mechanism, meansifor feeding ller tobacco, adevice 'for compacting said tobacco during its travel to substantiallyuniform density, said device having a traveling surface, a plurality ofyieldingly mounted compactors carried by said device, a cam normallyholding said compactors away from said stream, and means for moving saidsurface to release said compactors for engagement with said stream.

'7. Mechanism for feeding tobacco comprising means for advancing astream of long ller tobacco, a member provided with a travelling surfacelocated above said stream and arranged to compress said tobacco tosubstantially uniform density, said member having a plurality ofrelatively movable tobacco contacting elements, a bunch charge cutter,and a knife positioned in said stream adjacent said member fortrimmingexcess tobacco from said stream and forming therefrom a continuous layerof tobacco of uniform'thickness tobe fed to said cutter.

8..In a Ycigar machine, the combination with-a conveyor for advancing acontinuous stream of tobacco, of mechanism for forming complete bunchcharges therefrom, said mechanism including a compacting deviceprovidedwithYa-plurality of relatively movable tobacco engaging sursubstantiallyuniformdensity, means for adjustinglsaid deviceltovary the density-ofsaid compacted .stream, and means for cutting bunch charges-from saidstream.

l V9.1Ina ycigar' machine, `the combination with meansuforfeedingVacontinuous stream of long filler Itobacco, of means for compactingsaid streamtosubstantially uniform density, a bunch charge-cuttenmeansfor-measuring the thickness of the stream to be advanced to said cutter,said measuring means-,comprising a knife placed in said-stream fortrimming off excess tobacco, and means'located substantially in theplane of and at :the rear of -thescuttingedge thereof for guidingsaidexcess trimmedfrom saidstream and returning ittosaid feeding means,and mechanism for determining -vvhen an insufficient quantity of tb'accois being fed to said stream.

-l'OfInaV cigar-machine, the combination With means for feeding -acontinuous stream of long ller tobacco, of `means for compacting saidstream to vsubstantially uniform density, a bunch v charge cutter, meansfor measuring the thickfaces for compressing tobacco in said streamfto7-5 ness'of the stream to be advanced to said cutter, said measuringmeans including a knife placed in said stream for trimming off excesstobacco, andmechanism for determining when an insuiilcien't quantity oftobacco is being fed to said stream, said mechanism comprising a tripfinger cooperating-With said compacting means, an electric circuit, asignal device, and-means associated with said 'finger for closing saidcircuit Whenever the quantity of tobacco in said stream. falls below apredetermined level.

11. '-Ina cigar filler feed-mechanism, means for feeding ller tobacco, adevice for compacting said tobacco to substantially uniform densityduring its'travel, said device comprising a traveling member, aplurality of compactors carried by said-member, a cam normally holdingsaid cornpactors away from said tobacco, said cam having a'lportion soconstructed that said Compactors may-move in to contact with saidtobacco when said portion is reached-during the travel of said member,`and means for adjusting said cam to control the position of saidportion.

112. In -a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor for advancinga stream of filler tobacco, of a device for compacting said stream to aVsubstantially uniform density, mechanism for cutting thetop portion ofsaid compacted stream therefrom to reduce it to uniform thickness, saidcompactingdevicebeing provided with a yielding tobacco .engagingsurface, and means for positioning said device to engage and compresssaid stream-at such a point With respect to said mechanism, that Ithecompression exerted by said surface upon the stream of tobacco being fedbeneath said compacter is at a maximum at the zone ofcutting.

13. A vcigar machine comprising mechanism for compacting a stream oftobacco to substantially uniform density, means adjacent the center ofpressure vof said compacting mechanism for severing the top portion ofsaid compacted stream to reduce it to uniform cross-section, and meanscooperating therewith for maintaining said reduced stream compactedsubsequent to the operation of said vsevering means and automaticallyreturning-said trimmed oif tobacco for automatic-reintroduction intosaid stream.

14.7-In al cigar machine,'in combination, a con- Veyorforadvancing astream of filler tobacco, a device provided withla 4plurality ofindividually movable compacting elements for compressing said stream toa substantially uniform density, means located substantially adjacentthe point of maximum compression and beneath said device for severingexcess tobacco from the top of the said stream, vertically movablecutting means for cutting bunch lengths of full stream Width from saidstream With a single transverse cut While maintaining said stream crosssection constant, and means for forming said lengths into bunches,including means for maintaining the tobacco content of each lengthconstant following its severance from said stream.

15. In a cigar machine, in combination, a conveyor for advancing astream of long filler tobacco, a device for compressing said stream tosubstantially uniform density, a cutter extending transversely acrosssaid stream for severing tobacco from the top of said stream to limitthe stream to a predetermined thickness, means mounting said cutter formovement beneath said device with the cutting edge thereof lyingsubstantially in line with the centerof pressure of said device,vertically movable cutting means operable transversely of said stream tocut bunch lengths of full stream width from said stream Whilemaintaining said stream cross section conetant for forming said lengthsinto complete bunch units, means for maintaining the tobacco content ofeach unit constant following its severance from said stream, and meanslocated adjacent the rear of said cutter and lying substantially in theplane thereof for automatically directing tobacco removed from saidstream by said cutter back onto said conveyor.

16. In a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor for advancing astream of filler tobacco, of a tobacco compacting device, includingmeans for mounting said device against bodily movement relative to saidstream, and movable means carried by said device for engaging andcompacting said stream `of tobacco passing thereunder, mechanism forsevering the top portion of the compacted stream to reduce it touniformthickness, means lying substantially in the plane of and adjoining saidmechanism for holding said stream upon said conveyor after severing, avertically movable charge cutter, land means for moving said cuttertransversely to said uniform stream for forming complete bunch chargesof original stream Width and bunch length.

17. In va cigar machine, in combination, means for forwarding acontinuous substantially horizontal stream of long ller, mechanism forforming bunch charges from said stream, said mechanism including acompacting device, means for mounting said device againstbodily movementto and from said stream, means carried by said device movable intoengagement with said tobacco to compact said tobacco, and means forremoving excess tobacco from said stream.

18. In a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor for advancing asubstantially horizontal continuous stream of tobacco, of mechanism forforming bunch charges therefrom, said mechanism including a compactingdevice for compressing tobacco in said stream to substantially uniformdensity, supports mounting said device against movement relative to saidstream, and compacting means carried by said device and movable intoengagement with said stream; means for adjusting said device on saidsupports to and from said stream to control the density thereof, meansfor trimming said stream to form a continuous layer of predeterminedthickness, and a vertically movable charge cutter operating transverselyof said stream for cutting complete bunch charges of stream Width andbunch length therefrom while maintaining the stream cross sectionconstant.

19. In a cigar machine, the combination with means for feeding acontinuous stream of long ller tobacco, of means for compacting saidstream to substantially uniform density, a bunch charge cutter, meansfor measuring the thickness of the stream advancing to said cutter, saidmeasuring means comprising a knife located in said stream and. extendingfrom side to side thereof beneath said compacting means with its cuttingedge proximate the line of maximum pressure thereof for trimming offexcess tobacco, means for reciprocating said knife, and meanssubstantially coplanar with said knife for removing said excess fnomsaid stream, and returning it to said feeding means, while holding saidstream of measured thickness upon said feeding means. f

20. In a cigar machine, in combination, means for feeding a continuousstream of long filler tobacco, and mechanism for forming bunch chargesfrom said stream, said mechanism comprising 1a compactor device forcompacting said stream to substantially uniform density, means mountingsaid device against bodily movement to and from said stream during theoperation of said feeding means, compacting means mounted on said devicefor movement relative thereto into and out of compressing engagementwith said stream, a cutter mounted beneath said device, means for movingsaid cutter to remove excess tobacco from said stream, and means forcontrolling the movement of said compacting means in the direction ofstream travel to apply the maximum compacting force to said streamclosely -adjacent the cutting edge of said knife.

HJ ALMAR E. CARLSON.

